FLAIR TALK Magazine - April 2015

In this issue

The slogan coined by the new Prime Minister during Lok Sabha elections, 2014 meaning ‘Together with all, Development for all’, is a Government of India policy initiative for inclusive development. US Secretary of State John Kerry called it as a great vision and supported it. However, how many of us can conclusively say that all of us have been truly been taken in stride of development, together, with everyone else? Sadly, very few. Almost 7 decades past independence, we still see our people being slaves of false religious interpretations, leading to discrimination and oppression of minorities. What is worse, is that instead of facing criticism and trying to improve ourselves, we get on the back foot and start criticising our critics every time one cites an opinion. This was observed recently after a statement pertaining to ‘religious intolerance’ by US President Barack Obama following his January 2015 visit to India. India is a country of many minorities such as religious, caste-based, financial minorities etc. and the Government is expected to help in upliftment of one and all as it canters towards the league of developed nations. What steps have been taken by the Governments of the past and what more needs to be done, is the main theme behind our cover story on the occasion of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s birthday, aptly titled ‘Minority Rights’, written by Dr Aftab Alam who is a professor of Human Rights in Aligarh Muslim University.

‘Leap Frog’ brings words of wisdom on Freedom of Speech in the light of recent controversy relating to Net Neutrality, a thing which can affect every individual in recent future.